AirAsia X has announced a delay to the start of its planned service linking Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain, and London Gatwick, pushing the launch back until at least August or potentially September.

The Malaysian low-cost carrier originally intended to begin operations in June. However, it said the revised timeline depends on evolving market conditions, following disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The proposed route was designed to connect Kuala Lumpur with Bahrain as a transit hub before continuing onward to London Gatwick Airport.

Passengers affected by the postponement will be given the option of refunds or rebooking onto alternative travel dates, according to the airline.

AirAsia X reiterated its long-term commitment to establishing a presence in Bahrain but said the current situation requires a more cautious operational approach.

“Bahrain continues to play an important role in our long-term growth plans and regional connectivity strategy, and we remain focused on launching services to both Bahrain and London Gatwick when the operating environment is better aligned with our operational and commercial objectives,” said AirAsia X General Manager Benyamin Ismail.

The airline has faced financial pressure in recent periods due to fluctuating global jet fuel prices. Earlier this year, it reported a quarterly net loss, alongside measures that included a 10 percent reduction in flight operations and the introduction of a fuel surcharge of around 20 percent.

Source: ZAWYA

Royal Jordanian Airlines is ramping up operations on its Amman–Dallas route following what the airline describes as sustained strong demand and healthy passenger traffic in both directions.

Chief Executive Officer Samer Majali said the route has consistently performed well since its introduction, prompting the carrier to gradually increase flight frequencies to accommodate rising demand.

The service was initially launched with four weekly flights and was later increased to five. It currently operates six flights per week, with plans to move to a daily schedule starting next month.

Majali did not link the demand surge to specific events, including upcoming major sporting fixtures, noting that the airline does not categorise passengers based on travel purpose.

“We do not distinguish between passengers travelling to attend matches and those travelling for any other reason. Therefore, we do not have precise information about the nature of their final destinations. What we can say is that there is excellent traffic and strong demand on the Dallas route in both directions,” he said.

The U.S. city of Dallas is expected to host Jordan’s national football team, known as the Nashama, in a World Cup match against Argentina on June 27, according to Al Mamlaka TV.

Royal Jordanian inaugurated the direct Amman–Dallas service on May 10, making Dallas its fifth destination in the United States, alongside Washington, Chicago, New York, and Detroit.

At the launch, the airline highlighted the route as part of its broader strategy to strengthen its role as a key air bridge between the Middle East and North America.

The expansion aligns with Royal Jordanian’s long-term network plan to serve around 60 global destinations and expand its fleet to approximately 40 aircraft in the coming years, enhancing its international competitiveness.

Source: ZAWYA

AirAsia X has announced a delay to the start of its planned service linking Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain, and London Gatwick, pushing the launch back until at least August or potentially September.

The Malaysian low-cost carrier originally intended to begin operations in June. However, it said the revised timeline depends on evolving market conditions, following disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The proposed route was designed to connect Kuala Lumpur with Bahrain as a transit hub before continuing onward to London Gatwick Airport.

Passengers affected by the postponement will be given the option of refunds or rebooking onto alternative travel dates, according to the airline.

AirAsia X reiterated its long-term commitment to establishing a presence in Bahrain but said the current situation requires a more cautious operational approach.

“Bahrain continues to play an important role in our long-term growth plans and regional connectivity strategy, and we remain focused on launching services to both Bahrain and London Gatwick when the operating environment is better aligned with our operational and commercial objectives,” said AirAsia X General Manager Benyamin Ismail.

The airline has faced financial pressure in recent periods due to fluctuating global jet fuel prices. Earlier this year, it reported a quarterly net loss, alongside measures that included a 10 percent reduction in flight operations and the introduction of a fuel surcharge of around 20 percent.

Source: ZAWYA

Qatar Airways has confirmed the return of daily passenger services between Doha and Philadelphia, with operations scheduled to restart on August 1, 2026.

The relaunch of the route will increase the carrier’s North American network to 14 destinations, reinforcing its presence across the region and offering travelers additional travel options through its global network.

Flights between Hamad International Airport in Doha and Philadelphia International Airport will be operated using the Airbus A350-900. The aircraft features Qatar Airways’ Qsuite business-class cabin and Starlink internet service, providing passengers with high-speed onboard connectivity. More than 140 aircraft in the airline’s fleet are now equipped with Starlink technology, making Qatar Airways the largest operator of Starlink-enabled widebody aircraft worldwide.

The airline said the restoration of the Philadelphia service underscores its long-term commitment to the United States market. The route will provide passengers with convenient access to destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East via Doha. Travelers in the United States will also benefit from expanded domestic connections through Qatar Airways’ oneworld alliance partner, American Airlines.

Qatar Airways first entered the U.S. market in 2007 with the launch of flights to New York. Since then, the airline has steadily expanded its North American footprint, connecting passengers to more than 160 destinations across its international network.

Flight Schedule

Beginning August 1, 2026, the airline will operate daily services on the route:

• QR727: Doha (DOH) to Philadelphia (PHL) – Departure 08:00, Arrival 15:05
• QR728: Philadelphia (PHL) to Doha (DOH) – Departure 21:30, Arrival 17:00

During the summer season, Qatar Airways will serve the following North American destinations: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Washington D.C.

Source: ZAWYA

Saudi carrier flynas has announced the establishment of a new operational base at Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim, in collaboration with airport operator Cluster2 Company. The development makes flynas the first Saudi airline to operate from six different hubs across the Kingdom.

The expansion will begin in July with the launch of the first phase, introducing direct services to five destinations covering both domestic and international routes.

On the international front, flynas will operate direct flights from Qassim to Istanbul, Trabzon, and Cairo’s Sphinx International Airport. The network will also include domestic connections to Abha and Dammam.

The airline said the new base is part of its broader strategy to strengthen its presence across Saudi Arabia and enhance connectivity between regional airports and key global destinations.

Eng. Ali Masrahi, Chief Executive Officer of Cluster2 Company, said the launch represents an important milestone in the organisation’s strategy to expand partnerships and develop wider operational networks across the Kingdom.

He added that the initiative is designed to leverage growing passenger demand and support the introduction of new domestic and international routes, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to handle 330 million passengers annually by 2030.

Source: ZAWYA

Airlines operating in the Middle East are projected to move into collective losses in 2026 as escalating regional tensions, restricted airspace access and sharply higher fuel costs place significant strain on the sector, according to the latest outlook from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The industry body said that while carriers in other regions are also expected to see weaker profitability, the Middle East is likely to be the only region to post an overall net loss.

Across the global aviation industry, profits are expected to fall substantially. IATA forecasts net earnings declining from $45 billion in 2025 to $23 billion in 2026, with profit margins narrowing from 4.2 per cent to 2.0 per cent.

Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, said the outlook has deteriorated due to conflict-related disruption in the Middle East and a significant rise in fuel costs. He noted that jet fuel prices have increased by nearly 70 per cent globally, forcing airlines to absorb higher operating expenses despite ongoing efficiency improvements and fare adjustments.

Walsh added that while all regions remain profitable, performance has weakened sharply across the board, except for the Middle East. He said Gulf carriers are operating under considerable uncertainty following major airspace disruptions linked to the onset of conflict, though they continue to maintain global connectivity despite financial pressure.

IATA estimates that global fuel expenditure will rise from $252 billion in 2025 to $350 billion in 2026, accounting for more than 31 per cent of total airline operating costs, compared with 25.4 per cent the previous year.

The projection is based on an average Brent crude price of $95 per barrel in 2026, up from $69 in 2025. Jet fuel is expected to average $152 per barrel, significantly higher than the previous year, while the spread between crude and jet fuel prices is expected to remain elevated.

Although airlines are hedging roughly one-third of their fuel needs, IATA warned that carriers remain exposed to sustained price increases and high refining margins.

Overall fuel consumption is forecast to remain steady at about 104 billion gallons in 2026, meaning that higher fuel prices are the primary driver of rising industry costs.

Walsh also highlighted that the sector’s financial resilience is under pressure, with average net profit per passenger expected to fall to $4.50, nearly half of the level recorded in 2025.

The Middle East is expected to be the most affected region, as geopolitical instability leads to capacity reductions, flight disruptions, and higher operating costs. Reduced transit traffic is also weighing on load factors, further increasing unit costs for airlines.

Despite these challenges, IATA said Gulf carriers continue to work to sustain global connectivity, even as financial headwinds intensify across the region.

Source: ZAWYA